Puzzle

ABSTRACT

A puzzle having a plurality of elements, each having a plurality of faces. When assembled, the faces form a plurality of puzzle sides that, when the elements are properly arranged and oriented, display a puzzle “solution” (e.g., each of the sides showing faces all having the same color). Each puzzle may have one or more solutions. The puzzle is preferably laid out so that it can be solved using mathematical and/or logical analysis and without the necessity of trial and error.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a puzzle that is solved by arranging and orienting puzzle elements so that the exposed faces of the puzzle elements on each face of the puzzle match one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the puzzle of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a table showing data concerning the number of elements on which each color appears and the number of times each color appears adjacent to each of the colors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The ensuing detailed description provides preferred exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the ensuing detailed description of the preferred exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing the preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

Referring to FIG. 1, in this embodiment, a puzzle 10 comprises a plurality of cubic elements 12 which, when assembled, form a 2×2 array of elements 12. In alternate embodiments, other array sizes (3×3, 2×3, etc.) could be used, although it is preferable that the array be three-dimensional. Each of the elements 12 includes six faces (three pairs of opposing faces), each having a face 16, including a design element 18 located thereon. In this embodiment, the design elements 18 consist of circles, each being one of the following colors: Magenta, Blue, Green, Red, Black, Aqua, White and Yellow. This combination of colors is merely exemplary. Any combination of colors (or other types of design elements) could be used. In addition, the design elements could comprise other types of designs, such as pictures or patterns, for example, instead of colored circles. When the puzzle 10 is assembled, the elements 12 form an overall cubic shape having six sides 20, each side 20 comprising the faces 16 of four elements 12. Alternative embodiments of the invention, having different array sizes, could have assembled shapes that are non-cubic.

Each of the elements 12 preferably includes a means to facilitate and maintain proper alignment of each element with respect to other elements when the puzzle 10 is assembled. In this embodiment, each face 16 includes dimples 22 and complimentarily-shaped protrusions 24, arranged in pairs near the corners 26 of each face 16. The pairs of dimples 22 and protrusions 24 on each face 16 are arranged so that they will interlock when placed against a face of another element. Any other suitable means could be used to perform this function.

In the assembled position, some of the faces of the elements are exposed (e.g., face 16 of element 12), meaning that the face forms part of one of the sides 20 of the puzzle 10, and some of the faces of the elements (e.g., face 15 of element 12) are concealed, meaning that they are not visible and are not part of any of the sides 20 of the puzzle 10. In this embodiment, in order to solve the puzzle, all of the exposed faces on each of the sides 20 must be of the same color. The colors of the circles 18 on the faces 16 of the element 12 can be configured so that there is only one solution to each puzzle or, alternatively, multiple solutions can be provided for each puzzle.

The arrangement of faces 16 on the elements 12 of puzzle 10 is preferably selected to enable the puzzle 10 to be solved using a mathematical or logical analysis—i.e., without trial and error. In this embodiment of the invention, the solution involves (1) determining which colors are “out” (i.e., appearing only on concealed faces when the puzzle 10 is solved) and which colors are “in” (i.e., appearing on at least one exposed face when the puzzle 10 is solved), and (2) determining on which sides of the puzzle each of the “in” colors should appear, based on the opposing and adjacent relationships of colors on individual elements. Although this embodiment of the invention has only one solution, other embodiments could have multiple solutions.

FIG. 2 shows this information for the embodiment of the puzzle shown in FIG. 1. The numbers appearing in the colored squares along the lower left diagonal of the table represent the number of different elements 12 on which each color appears. For example, a black circle appears at least once on each of six different elements, as indicated by the square identified by reference numeral 44. The number of times a face of one color is located adjacent to a face of another color on the same element 12 (i.e., the faces share an edge) is indicated in the square at the intersection of the row in which one color is located and the column in which another color is located. For example, there are two instances of a red face being adjacent to a white face, as indicated by the square identified by reference numeral 30. The columns for each color identified by the following reference numerals: Magenta 40, Blue 41, Green 42, Red 43, Black 44, Aqua 45, White 46 and Yellow 47.

Puzzle 10 can be solved by employing the following analysis. There are eight different colors shown on the faces 16 of puzzle 10. Since there are only six sides to the puzzle, two of the colors must be “out” and six of the colors must be “in.” A color must appear on the faces 16 of at least four elements 12 in order to be an “in” color. Therefore, in this embodiment, the color Aqua is an “out” color because it only appears on three different elements.

Since Aqua is “out,” all colors that appear opposite Aqua must be “in.” This can be determined by looking at the elements on which Aqua appears. In this embodiment, White, Blue, Red and Yellow faces appear opposite Aqua faces. Therefore, White, Blue, Red and Yellow must be “in” colors. As indicated in FIG. 2, Black faces do not appear adjacent to either White or Yellow faces (see the squares identified by reference numerals 32 and 34, respectively, in FIG. 2). Since both White and Yellow are “in,” Black must be “out.” Having determined that Black and Aqua are “out,” the remaining colors, Magenta and Green, must be “in.”

Next, the arrangement of the “in” colors is determined. In this embodiment, in order for two “in” colors to be adjacent to one another, the two colors must appear on adjacent faces 16 at least twice. Since White and Yellow are only adjacent once (see the squares identified by reference numeral 36 in FIG. 2), they cannot be located on adjacent sides when the puzzle is solved.

As shown in FIG. 2, Yellow and Blue faces are adjacent twice, and Yellow and Magenta faces are adjacent twice. In this embodiment, there are two ways in which two elements having adjacent Yellow & Magenta faces can be arranged side-by-side. One such arrangement cannot be correct because it would leave a White face in the “in” position. In the arrangement that is a possible solution, Blue is on one side (exposed face), and Green is on another side (exposed face). The remaining faces on this element will have White and Blue, neither of which will be visible when the puzzle is solved. Then, place and orient the other element having adjacent Yellow & Blue faces. Finally, add the last element having a Yellow face in an orientation in which the Red and Green faces are on the appropriate side of the puzzle 10. This will complete the Yellow side. Then, place the element having adjacent Green, White & Magenta sides. Then, place the element having Green, White & Red faces, then the element having Red, White & Blue faces, and finally, the element having Blue, White & Magenta faces. The puzzle 10 is then solved.

While the principals of the invention have been described in connection with the preferred embodiments, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation of the scope of the invention. 

1. A puzzle as described in the specification and shown in the drawings. 